Cartridge holder for surgical staples and having ridges in peripheral walls for gripping tissue

ABSTRACT

A surgical stapling device (10) is disclosed including a tool assembly (16) having an anvil assembly (24) and a cartridge assembly (26). The cartridge assembly (26) includes ridges (46) or protrusions (46) formed along peripheral walls of the cartridge assembly (26) to grip and stabilize tissue clamped between the anvil and cartridge assemblies (24,26). The ridges (46) serve as grippers to prevent the tissue from moving during staple formation in both the lateral and longitudinal directions. Improved staple formation can be achieved by stabilizing the tissue during staple formation.

FIELD

The disclosure is directed to surgical instruments for stapling tissue and, more particularly, to surgical stapling devices for stapling tissue including structure for grasping the tissue.

BACKGROUND

Typically, a stapling instrument includes a pair of opposing jaw members wherein one of the jaw members supports a staple cartridge and the other jaw member supports an anvil with staple-forming pockets. Some stapling instruments also include an I-beam including a knife blade which advances between the two jaw members to simultaneously eject staples from the staple cartridge and cut tissue clamped between the jaw members. When staples are fired on tissue, especially thick tissue, tissue is heavily compressed between the two jaw members and tends to slide from between the jaw members, causing staples to be malformed.

SUMMARY

One aspect of this disclosure is directed to a surgical stapling device including an elongate body and a tool assembly. The elongate body has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The tool assembly defines a longitudinal axis and is supported on the distal portion of the elongate body. The tool assembly includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The anvil assembly has a distal end portion and a tissue engaging surface. The cartridge assembly has a distal end portion and includes a cartridge channel and a staple cartridge. The staple cartridge has a distal end portion and a tissue contacting surface. The cartridge assembly is coupled to the anvil assembly such that the tool assembly is movable between an open position in which the distal end portions of the anvil and cartridge assemblies are spaced from each other and a clamped position in which the tissue contacting surfaces of the anvil assembly and the staple cartridge are in juxtaposed alignment. The cartridge channel includes a base wall and spaced side walls that define an elongated recess that receives the staple cartridge. Each of the spaced side walls supports a plurality of ridges that are spaced outwardly of the tissue engaging surface of the staple cartridge. Each of the plurality of ridges includes a tissue engagement portion that extends above the tissue engaging surface of the staple cartridge in a direction towards the anvil assembly.

In aspects of the disclosure, the tissue engagement portion of each of the plurality of ridges has an atraumatic shape.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the engagement portion of each of the plurality of ridges has a trapezoidal shape.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, the engagement portion of each of the plurality of ridges has a rectangular shape.

In aspects of the disclosure, the engagement portion of each of the plurality of ridges has a circular shape.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the engagement portion of each of the plurality of ridges extends above the tissue engaging surface of the staple cartridge in a direction towards the anvil assembly a distance X, wherein X is from about 1.5 mm to about 2.5 mm.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, X is about 2 mm.

In aspects of the disclosure, the each ridge of the plurality of ridges is spaced from adjacent ridges of the plurality of ridges by a distance Y, wherein Y is about 3 mm to about 6 mm.

In some aspects of the disclosure, Y is about 4.5 mm.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, the plurality of ridges are formed in groups of ridges spaced along the cartridge channel including a first group, and a second group, wherein each group of ridges includes at least two ridges of the plurality of ridges.

In aspects of the disclosure, each of the ridges of the plurality of ridges in each of the groups of ridges is spaced from adjacent ridges in the respective group of ridges by a distance Y, wherein Y is about 3 mm to about 6 mm.

In some aspects of the disclosure, X is about 2 mm.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, the stapling device includes a handle assembly that is coupled to the proximal portion of the elongate body.

Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to a tool assembly that defines a longitudinal axis. The tool assembly includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The anvil assembly has a distal end portion and a tissue engaging surface. The cartridge assembly has a distal end portion and includes a cartridge channel and a staple cartridge. The staple cartridge has a distal end portion and a tissue contacting surface. The cartridge assembly is coupled to the anvil assembly such that the tool assembly is movable between an open position in which the distal end portions of the anvil and cartridge assemblies are spaced from each other and a clamped position in which the tissue contacting surfaces of the anvil assembly and the staple cartridge are in juxtaposed alignment. The cartridge channel includes a base wall and spaced side walls that define an elongated recess that receives the staple cartridge. Each of the spaced side walls supports a plurality of ridges that are spaced outwardly of the tissue engaging surface of the staple cartridge. Each of the plurality of ridges includes a tissue engagement portion that extends above the tissue engaging surface of the staple cartridge in a direction towards the anvil assembly.

Other features of the disclosure will be appreciated from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of the disclosed surgical stapling device are described herein below with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a surgical stapling device including aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the tool assembly of the surgical stapling device;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 2 illustrating ridges on a cartridge channel of the tool assembly;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged view of an alternate version of the ridges on the cartridge channel shown in FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of another alternate version of the ridges on the cartridge channel shown in FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 3C is an enlarged view of yet another alternate version of the ridges on the cartridge channel shown in FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 4 is side perspective view of the cartridge channel of the surgical stapling device shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a view from the distal end of the cartridge channel shown in FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a tool assembly of the surgical stapling device shown in FIG. 1 ; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 7-7 of FIG. 6 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed surgical stapling device will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. However, it is to be understood that the aspects of the disclosure described herein are merely exemplary of the disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the disclosure in unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

In this description, the term “proximal” is used generally to refer to that portion of the device that is closer to a clinician, while the term “distal” is used generally to refer to that portion of the device that is farther from the clinician. In addition, the term “endoscopic” is used generally to refer to endoscopic, laparoscopic, arthroscopic, and/or any other procedure conducted through small diameter incision or cannula. Further, the term “clinician” is used generally to refer to medical personnel including doctors, nurses, and support personnel.

A surgical instrument is disclosed including a tool assembly having an anvil assembly and cartridge assembly that are relatively movable from an open position to a clamped position to clamp and staple tissue. The tool assembly includes ridges or protrusions formed along peripheral walls of the tool assembly to grip and stabilize the tissue clamped between the anvil and cartridge. In aspects of the disclosure, the ridges are formed along peripheral walls of the cartridge assembly and serve as grippers to prevent the tissue from moving during staple formation in both the lateral and longitudinal directions. Improved staple formation can be achieved by stabilizing the tissue during staple formation.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical stapling device including aspects of the disclosure shown generally as stapling device 10. The stapling device 10 includes a handle assembly 12, an elongate body 14, and a tool assembly 16. The elongate body 14 defines a longitudinal axis “X” and includes a proximal portion 14 a supported on the handle assembly 12 and a distal portion 14 b that supports the tool assembly 16. In some aspects of the disclosure, the tool assembly 16 forms part of a reload assembly 18 that includes a proximal body portion 18 a that is adapted to be releasably coupled to the distal portion 14 b of the elongate body 14 of the stapling device 10. The proximal body portion 18 a of the reload assembly 18 includes a distal portion that supports the tool assembly 16. In alternate aspects of the disclosure, the tool assembly 16 is fixedly secured to the distal portion of the elongate body 14.

The handle assembly 12 of the stapling device 10 includes a body 20 defining a stationary handle 20 a, actuation buttons 22, and a rotation knob 23. The actuation buttons 22 can be depressed to actuate the tool assembly 16, e.g., approximate the tool assembly 16, articulate the tool assembly 16, fire staples, etc. . . . The rotation knob 23 is rotatably supported on the body 20 of the handle assembly 12 and supports the elongate body 14 of the stapling device 10 such that rotation of the rotation knob 23 causes rotation of the elongate body 14 and the tool assembly 16 in relation to the handle assembly 12. In aspects of the disclosure, batteries (not shown) are supported in the stationary handle 20 a to power the handle assembly 12. It is envisioned that the stapling device 10 need not be powered but can also include a manually powered handle assembly such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,361 (“the '361 patent”).

The tool assembly 16 includes having an anvil assembly 24 and a cartridge assembly 26 that are coupled together such that the tool assembly 16 can move between an open position (FIG. 1 ) and a clamped position (FIG. 6 ). The anvil assembly 24 includes a tissue engaging surface 24 a (FIG. 7 ). The cartridge assembly 26 includes a staple cartridge 28 and a cartridge channel 30. The staple cartridge 28 includes a tissue engaging surface 48. In the open position, a distal end portion of the anvil assembly 24 is spaced from a distal end portion of the staple cartridge 28 to facilitate passage of tissue between the anvil assembly 24 and the cartridge assembly 26. In the clamped position, the tissue engaging surface 24 a of the anvil assembly 24 is in juxtaposed alignment with the tissue engaging surface 48 of the staple cartridge 28. The cartridge channel 30 defines an elongated recess 32 (FIG. 4 ) that receives and houses the staple cartridge 28. In aspects of the disclosure, the staple cartridge 28 can be removed from the cartridge channel 30 and replaced to facilitate reuse of the stapling device 10. Alternately, the staple cartridge 28 can be fixedly retained within the cartridge channel 30 and the reload assembly 18 can be replaced to facilitate reuse of the stapling device 10.

FIGS. 2-5 illustrate the cartridge channel 30 of the stapling device 10. The cartridge channel 30 includes a base wall 40 and spaced side walls 42 that define the elongated recess 32. Each of the spaced side walls 42 extends along an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly 16 and includes an upper shoulder 44 that supports the staple cartridge 28. The side walls 42 of the cartridge channel 30 also support ridges or protrusions 46 that are spaced along the length of the side walls 42. Each of the ridges 40 extends above and is positioned radially outwardly of the tissue contact surface 48 of the staple cartridge 28. In aspects of the disclosure, the ridges 46 include an upper or tissue engagement portion 50 that includes an atraumatic configuration to minimize damage to tissue. The engagement portion 50 may have a variety of shapes including a trapezoidal shape 50 (FIG. 3 ), a rectangular shape 50 b and 50 c (FIGS. 3A and 3B), and a circular shape 50 d. Alternately, other shapes are envisioned.

The ridges 46 have a height and a spacing to adequately grip tissue without causing injury to the tissue. In aspects of the disclosure, the ridges 46 have a height above the tissue contact surface 48 of the staple cartridge 28 of about 1.5 mm to about 2.5 mm and in some aspects of the disclosure, have a height of about 2 mm. In some aspects of the disclosure, the ridges 40 are spaced from each other along the side walls 42 from about 3 mm to about 6 mm, and in some aspects of the disclosure, are spaced from each other about 4.5 mm. Other spacing is envisioned. In certain aspects of the disclosure, the ridges 46 include groups of ridges 46 positioned along the side walls 42 of the cartridge channel 30 in which each of the ridges 46 in each of the groups of ridges 46 is spaced from other ridges 46 in the respective group as described above, and the groups are spaced from the other groups by larger distances. For example, the cartridge channel 30 may include two or more groups of ridges, e.g., three groups of ridges including a proximal group 60 a, a middle group 60 b, and a distal group 60 c (FIG. 4 ).

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the tool assembly 16 in the clamped position with tissue “T” clamped between the tissue contact surface 24 a of the anvil assembly 24 and the tissue contact surface 48 of the staple cartridge 28 of the cartridge assembly 26. In the clamped position, the engagement portion ridges 46 are spaced outwardly of tissue contact surfaces 24 a and 28 of the anvil assembly 24 and staple cartridge 28 and engage the tissue “T”. In the clamped position, the engagement portion 50 of the ridges 46 are spaced outwardly from the anvil assembly 24 and are not in opposition to any portion of the tool assembly 16. As such, the tissue is not compressed between opposing surfaces of the tool assembly 16. This minimizes damage to the tissue “T”. Engagement of the tissue “T” with the ridges 46 stabilizes the tissue “T” within the tool assembly 16 and limits tissue movement during staple formation in both lateral and longitudinal directions to improve staple formation during firing of the stapling device 10.

Although the disclosure describes the ridges 46 as being formed on the cartridge channel 30 of the tool assembly 16, it is envisioned that the ridges 46 could be formed on the anvil assembly 24 outwardly of the tissue contacting surface 24 a of the anvil assembly 24. It is also envisioned that the ridges 46 could be formed integrally with the cartridge channel 30, the staple cartridge 28, or the anvil assembly 24. It is also envisioned that the ridges 46 could be formed separately from and secured to one of the cartridge channel 30, the staple cartridge 28, or the anvil assembly 24.

Persons skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary aspects of the disclosure. It is envisioned that the elements and features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the elements and features of another without departing from the scope of the disclosure. As well, one skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the disclosure based on the above-described aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical stapling device comprising: an elongate body having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a tool assembly supported on the distal portion of the elongate body and defining a longitudinal axis, the tool assembly including an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, the anvil assembly having a distal end portion and a tissue engaging surface, the cartridge assembly having a distal end portion and including a cartridge channel and a staple cartridge, the staple cartridge having a distal end portion and a tissue contacting surface, the cartridge assembly is coupled to the anvil assembly such that the tool assembly is movable between an open position in which the distal end portions of the anvil and cartridge assemblies are spaced from each other and a clamped position in which the tissue contacting surfaces of the anvil assembly and the staple cartridge are in juxtaposed alignment; the cartridge channel including a base wall and spaced side walls that define an elongated recess, the elongated recess receiving the staple cartridge, wherein each of the spaced side walls supports a plurality of ridges, each of the plurality of ridges spaced outwardly of the tissue engaging surface of the staple cartridge and including a tissue engagement portion that extends above the tissue engaging surface of the staple cartridge in a direction towards the anvil assembly.
 2. The surgical stapling device of claim 1, wherein the tissue engagement portion of each of the plurality of ridges has an atraumatic shape.
 3. The surgical stapling device of claim 2, wherein the engagement portion of each of the plurality of ridges has a trapezoidal shape.
 4. The surgical stapling device of claim 2, wherein the engagement portion of each of the plurality of ridges has a rectangular shape.
 5. The surgical stapling device of claim 2, wherein the engagement portion of each of the plurality of ridges has a circular shape.
 6. The surgical stapling device of claim 1, wherein the engagement portion of each of the plurality of ridges extends above the tissue engaging surface of the staple cartridge in a dissection towards the anvil assembly a distance X, wherein X is from about 1.5 mm to about 2.5 mm.
 7. The surgical stapling device of claim 6, wherein X is about 2 mm.
 8. The surgical stapling device of claim 1, wherein each ridge of the plurality of ridges is spaced from adjacent ridges of the plurality of ridges by a distance Y, wherein Y is about 3 mm to about 6 mm.
 9. The surgical stapling device of claim 1, wherein Y is about 4.5 mm.
 10. The surgical stapling device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ridges are formed in groups of ridges spaced along the cartridge channel including a first group, and a second group, wherein each group of ridges includes at least two ridges of the plurality of ridges.
 11. The surgical stapling device of claim 10, wherein each ridge of the plurality of ridges in each of the groups of ridges is spaced from adjacent ridges in the respective group of ridges by a distance Y, wherein Y is about 3 mm to about 6 mm.
 12. The surgical stapling device of claim 11, wherein X is about 2 mm.
 13. The surgical stapling device of claim 1, further including a handle assembly, the proximal portion of the elongate body coupled to the handle assembly.
 14. A tool assembly comprising: an anvil assembly having a distal end portion and a tissue engaging surface; a cartridge assembly having a distal end portion and including a cartridge channel and a staple cartridge, the staple cartridge having a distal end portion and a tissue contacting surface, the cartridge assembly coupled to the anvil assembly such that the tool assembly is movable between an open position in which the distal end portions of the anvil and cartridge assemblies are spaced from each other and a clamped position in which the tissue contacting surfaces of the anvil assembly and the staple cartridge are in juxtaposed alignment, the cartridge channel including a base wall and spaced side walls that define an elongated recess, the elongated recess receiving the staple cartridge, wherein each of the spaced side walls of the cartridge channel supports a plurality of ridges, each of the plurality of ridges spaced outwardly of the tissue engaging surface of the staple cartridge and including a tissue engagement portion that extends above the tissue engaging surface of the staple cartridge in a direction towards the anvil assembly.
 15. The tool assembly of claim 14, wherein the tissue engagement portion of each of the plurality of ridges has an atraumatic shape.
 16. The tool assembly of claim 14, wherein the atraumatic shape is selected from a trapezoidal shape, a rectangular shape, and a circular shape.
 17. The tool assembly of claim 14, wherein the engagement portion of each of the plurality of ridges extends above the tissue engaging surface of the staple cartridge in a dissection towards the anvil assembly a distance X, wherein X is from about 1.5 mm to about 2.5 mm.
 18. The tool assembly of claim 14, wherein each ridge of the plurality of ridges is spaced from adjacent ridges of the plurality of ridges by a distance Y, wherein Y is about 3 mm to about 6 mm.
 19. The tool assembly of claim 14, wherein the plurality of ridges are formed in groups of ridges spaced along the cartridge channel including a first group, and a second group, wherein each group of ridges includes at least two ridges of the plurality of ridges.
 20. The tool assembly of claim 19, wherein each ridge of the plurality of ridges in each of the groups of ridges are spaced from adjacent ridges in the respective group of ridges by a distance Y, wherein Y is about 3 mm to about 6 mm. 